Still Sorting Through EU Dry Bean Tariffs

Published October 10, 2018

While the new trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada is positive for the dry bean industry, the focus remains on trade relations with the European Union. There is an agreement, in principle, between the U.S. and the E.U. to work towards a trade deal or treaty for dry beans. However, U.S. Dry Bean Council Executive Director Rebecca Bratter says there are still concerns. “Nothing has been done to change the conversation on the steel and aluminum tariffs. The E.U. has not lifted their 25 percent tariff on U.S. dry bean exports.” There are questions about what has been included in trade discussions with the E.U. “From the U.S. side, we’ve heard it does include agriculture. On the E.U. side, beyond a commitment to purchase a large amount of soybeans, we’ve heard it does not.” With a new crop of dry beans in the bin, Bratters says the industry may start to feel the impact of tariffs even more if an agreement is not reached.